Jackie Robinson Day 2014
Jackie Robinson is honored by Major League Baseball each season following his tremendous 10-year career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Reuters

One of the most historic franchises in the history of professional sports, the Brooklyn Dodgers -- who now play as the Los Angeles Dodgers -- have enjoyed tremendous success over the years while giving birth to some of the greatest players Major League Baseball has ever seen. While names like Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Maury Wills, Sandy Koufax, Duke Snyder, Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela and others etched their place in Dodger and baseball history, there is one player who accomplished a feat unrivaled in the long and storied history of the game.

Due to his incredible courage and strength, Hall of Fame second baseman Jackie Robinson officially broke baseball's color barrier when he became the first African-American to play in the MLB. Making his first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, the Cairo, Georgia native made a lasting impact on Major League Baseball and the game as a whole since he was able to help people overcome the hardships of segregation. Though many did not accept Robinson's entry into the professional arena right away, multiple Dodger teammates -- including team owner Branch Rickey -- remained alongside Robinson throughout his 10 seasons with the ball club.

After beginning his professional career with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues, Robinson was invited to play with the Montreal Royals, the minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Upon succeeding with the Canadian club, Robinson was called up to the big league squad where he was strong from the beginning. A six-time All-Star, Robinson was also voted the 1947 MLB Rookie of the Year and the 1949 National League Most Valuable Player. In addition to those feats, the career .311 hitter won the National League Batting Title in 1949.

His accomplishments on the field helped him earn first ballot admission into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 while landing him a place on Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. While his skills place him as one of the best the game has ever seen, Jackie Robinson's courage to overcome the color barrier will always be remembered as one of the most brave and important moments in history.

As we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day 2014, here's 10 quotes from the legendary star and other Brooklyn Dodger greats that will help keep No. 42's legacy alive.

“There was never a man in the game who could put mind and muscle together quicker and with better judgment than Jackie Robinson.” -- Dodgers Owner Branch Rickey

“We've got no army. There's virtually nobody on our side. No owners, no umpires, very few newspapermen. And I'm afraid that many fans will be hostile. We'll be in a tough position. We can win only if we can convince the world that I'm doing this because you're a great ballplayer, a fine gentleman." -- Branch Rickey to Jackie Robinson about his joining the Dodgers

"The thing about him was that he was always doing something for someone else. I know, because he did so much for me." -- Jackie Robinson on Branch Rickey

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... All I ask is that your respect me as a human being.” -- Jackie Robinson

"The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time." -- Jackie Robinson

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you''re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.” -- Jackie Robinson

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” -- Jackie Robinson

“There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free” -- Jackie Robinson

“Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he did. To be able to hit with everybody yelling at him. He had to block all that out, block out everything but this ball that is coming in at a hundred miles an hour and he's got a split second to make up his mind if it's in or out or down or coming at his head, a split second to swing. To do what he did has got to be the most tremendous thing I've ever seen in sports.” -- Former Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese on Jackie Robinson's courage

“I get a lot of credit and I appreciate it, but after a while, I thought of him as I would Duke Snider or Gil Hodges or anyone else. We never thought of this as a big deal. We were just playing ball and having fun.” -- Pee Wee Reese on treating Jackie Robinson as he would anyone else

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